Computer worm may hit April 1.

[vintner Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close vintner]

We received notice from our IT person about the new worm. It really isn't new, but isn't set to attack until April 1. Hackers like that date. I don't.

See the information at the link below, but all it really says is get your anti-virus up to date.

Beware Conficker worm come April 1 : Christopher Null : Yahoo! Tech

[Beaglemom3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Beaglemom3]

What is the April 1st virus everyone is talking about?


A Must-Read From Data Doctors!

It's an event that hits the computer world once every few years and security experts are racing against time to mitigate the impact of a bit of malware which is set to wreak havoc on a hard-coded date. As is often the case, that date is April 1.

Conficker first bubbled up in late 2008 and began making headlines in January after infecting 9 million computers. Now in its third variant, Conficker C, the worm has grown incredibly complicated, powerful, and virulent... though no one is quite sure exactly what it will do when it hits on April 1st. (Previous versions of the malicious software were actually launched on the specific dates noted in the program code, so the April Fool's Day launch date is NOT LIKELY to be a trick.)


Microsoft has placed a $250,000 bounty to bring to justice the writer of the worm. Microsoft released a statement saying the company "is actively working with the industry to mitigate the spread of the worm."

What Will Conficker C Do?

The short answer: something bad. At this point even experts don't know exactly what Conficker will do. The program could delete all files on a computer, use zombie PCs -- those controlled by a master -- to overwhelm and shut down Web sites, monitor keyboard strokes to steal private information, or simply manifest more traditional malware pop-ups designed to sell you phony security software.

Experts believe the virus will most likely try to get computer users to buy fake software or spend money on other phony products. Computer hackers have largely moved away from showboating by causing random trouble. Instead they now want to make money off their viral programs.

What is also proving to be a challenge is that the program's code is written to evolve over time and its author appears to be making updates to thwart attempts to neutralize the worm.

Protecting Yourself Against Conficker C

Conficker C is especially disconcerting because it is designed to bypass and disable hundreds of popular security programs and websites. To make things worse, Conficker C is very good at hiding from you and your security programs and has code that allows it to 'evolve' its ability to be detected and removed.

One of the many ways that your system can get infected in the first place is from the usual suspects: e-mail attachments, rogue links in e-mails, malicious websites, and from downloading files from P2P networks such as Limewire and KaZaa.

The popularity of online videos and especially YouTube has created a new trick for malware writers to get into your system. If you click on a video link but instead of the video you get an alert stating that you need to update your "Flash Player" or you need a new 'codec', DO NOT PROCEED. Chances are good that it's the worm talking.

If you routinely view online videos and you are suddenly told you need something new to view online videos, especially from a no-name website, BE SUSPICIOUS!

If a message comes up saying you need a new version of the Flash Player, don't accept the file that the website offers as an update. Instead, go to Adobe - Adobe Flash Player to install the latest version of the free video player, then go back and try viewing the video again. If the same message comes up with a prompt to download an updated Flash Player, you will know it's a scam for sure.

In the same respect, if you get a message telling you that you need a new 'codec' to view a video, the safe response is to take a pass until someone technical you trust can see if your video playback software is really that old.

Now What?

One of the first things Conficker C will attempt to do is turn off the automatic updates in Windows. To check if the automatic updates have been turned off, go to the Windows Control Panel and double click the Security Center icon to get to the automatic updates link. If you find that your automatic updates have been turned off, it doesn't necessarily mean that you are infected. However, if you know that it was previously set to automatically update and now it's turned off, you would be wise to have a technically savvy person do a deeper evaluation of your computer.

BE EXTRA VIGILANT about protecting your computer. Make sure your computer has automatic updates turned ON and you have installed the latest updates from Microsoft.

Make sure your antivirus software is actually running. It has been discovered Conficker C can disable antivirus programs. Also insure you have received the latest updates from your antivirus software company.

Microsoft also offers a free online safety scan at Windows Live OneCare which should be able to detect all Conficker versions.

[1950bing Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close 1950bing]

Don't be taken in because remember it is "FOOLS" day !!!!!

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

Though I haven't personally verified it, Conflicker is real and the April 1 date is not a joke. Make sure your AV is uodated !

[bezerk Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close bezerk]

Thanks to all.....This info, not as detailed as here, of course, was also in our local paper here in Mexico.

We personally have done all that has been advised on here and hope we are covered......

What do these "nutso's" get out of doing this....I know, I know but goodness, do we not have enough to worry about.....

Safe computers to all......& thanks again for the heads up!

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

Huh!

I have been getting a pop-up, even with Pop-up Stopper, saying Ole POC needs a new version of Adobe Flash Player.

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

It probably does-I just installed my new version a few days ago.

[Beaglemom3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Beaglemom3]

Ditto for the 9.1 version.

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

Info on the worm: http://www.microsoft.com/protect/com...conficker.mspx

You can fix this and other security problems here (using IE): Protection Center - Windows Live OneCare safety scanner
switching to the clean up button you can clean your registry

note: the one care protection scanner can take several hours to run.

[bezerk Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close bezerk]

Thanks tonyg...I'll do that as well when I have many hours LOL.

[Nancy Platinum Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close Nancy]

Hear anything

So did anybody hear anything about this worm yesterday? Here, in FL, the news media that has been talking about it for days, didn't mention it yesterday at all.

I did a voluntary day off of internet just in case.

Nancy

[Tfish Member Find all posts View Profile Close Tfish]

Haven't heard anything since.

Mike

[zdxlc9p6 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close zdxlc9p6]

My AGV is up to date, and this morning I got a notice "Java update is available." It's a balloon coming from the Java icon in my task bar where I normally get notifications. Think it's safe to update?

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

Hope so, because I updated this morning.

[bezerk Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close bezerk]

Hope so, because I updated this morning.

Me too, at least on one computer ....